Society rids itself of a monster
JUSTICE has finally prevailed for victims of genital mutilator Peter Frederiksen; all law enforcement agencies that contributed to his conviction ought to be lauded.
The Dane, who made headlines in September 2015 when police found a collection of female genitalia in the freezer at his Bloemfontein home, was found guilty on 36 charges on Monday.
While the quality of the lives of the many women he is believed to have performed illegal circumcisions on will not be improved, it is a relief to know our society is now rid of one more monster who objectifies and has little regard for women and children. This is the man who ordered a hit on his wife, Anna Matseliso Molise, probably hoping that with the whistle-blower out of the way, he would get off scot-free. He was wrong.
While Molise didn’t live to see the man who mutilated her genitals and assaulted her go to jail, her actions were not in vain. It’s a pity that of all the charges Frederiksen was convicted on, he was not found guilty for slicing off women’s genitals.
Judge Johann Daffue acquitted him on 20 charges dealing with the removal of human tissue, saying the National Health Act did not indicate the nature of penalties for these transgressions.
We hope lawmakers will take note and do something about this. Had Frederiksen not been charged with other crimes, he would have walked.
But, as Judge Daffue noted, the State built a strong case and he would be locked away for good – for raping some of his victims, possessing and producing child pornography, raping a minor, possessing the unregistered drug xylocaine, conspiracy to commit his wife’s murder, illegal possession of firearms, fraud, paying and influencing a State witness, and contravening the Immigration Act by providing false information in order to remain in South Africa.
With just days to go before the world celebrates UN Universal Children’s Day, aimed at advocating, promoting and celebrating children’s rights, and International Day of No Violence Against Women a few days later, the conviction couldn’t have come at a better time. People like Frederiksen don’t belong in society. They must be locked away for good.